I was told recently I should write more, and I have had a few ideas/projects I’d like to get moving on…well, here goes. Of course, I’m going to write about absolutely none of those ideas/projects for this one-this post is just because I got sidetracked by a movie that was on this morning (I’ll get to that movie in a moment). I’m pretty sure we all have those films that once you flip through the channels and see that it’s on you drop whatever it was you were doing and watch. I’ve got a few of those films that I’ll list further on down, and if you stumble upon reading this maybe you can tell me some of yours too. Of course if I really am the only one this happens to, enjoy this brief little look into my psyche and try not to shake your head in disapproval.

Batman Begins/The Dark Knight/Inception/The Prestige – I could’ve just changed this to pretty much to say “just about any film Christopher Nolan has ever directed”, and it wouldn’t be far off. His reimagining of the Batman franchise helped save it after Joel Schumacher turned it into a laughingstock (a fate that Batman does not deserve). I could talk for hours about the amazing performances in both Batman films from Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, and Morgan Freeman, as well as Liam Neeson’s turn as Henri Ducard/Ra’s Al Ghul in Begins, Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent/Two-Face in TDK, and of course the late Heath Ledger for providing one of the most memorable (and IMO, best) Joker performances ever in the same film. Prestige is a movie I’d just watched recently and I found it amazing, I’m sure I’ll lose an hour or two to it again if I see it on tv. Inception is easily a top 5 film for me, and if I ever have some free time I’m usually watching it. Once it hits the premium cable channels in a bit, I’m sure I’ll be sidetracked then too.

If you are a Christopher Nolan fan chances are you noticed one film that isn’t up there, and that’s Memento. It’s actually not included for one simple reason: I haven’t seen it yet. Yes, I’m aware I need to correct that error soon.

Typical reaction to finding out I haven't seen Memento yet

Big Trouble in Little China – This is actually the movie that was on this morning (I never said these were going to all be cinematic masterpieces). Sure it’s cheesy, but it’s hilarious. Kurt Russell as trucker Jack Burton stuck in Little China helping out a friend, but more importantly to him trying to get his truck back. It’s a film that isn’t supposed to be taken seriously, and it knows it too.

Super Troopers – “Littering and…littering and…” “Say Car Ramrod! Say Car Ramrod!” “I swear to God I’ll pistol whip the next guy that says ‘shenanigans’!” “I don’t want a large Farva! I want a goddamn liter of Cola!” “If you were my son, Mac, I would’ve smothered you by now.” Yeah, that’s pretty much all I need to say about this movie.

(500) Days of Summer – I guess you could classify it as a romantic comedy, but it really isn’t your typical romantic comedy (those ones I tend to avoid unless I really have to watch them). It doesn’t follow the typical timeline of the relationship, and I think it’s well written. It helps that Joseph Gordon-Levitt (as Tom) and Zooey Deschanel (as Summer) have good chemistry, too. There’s also moments in that film where I thought to myself “oh yeah, I’ve done that”. I’d suggest checking it out if you haven’t.

The Shawshank Redemption – Incredible story, great performances out of Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, what more could you want? If you haven’t seen this already, get to it.

I’ll just list some of my other ‘timesuck’ (for lack of a better word) movies since I’m running out of things to say (and to prevent you the reader from possibly nodding off haha):

4 responses to “I should start working on thi–ooh, Dark Knight is on…”

Dude, now I have to see (500) Days of Summer. This list is awesome. Big Trouble in Little China is one of my favorite movies ever. SO ridiculous. And fabulous. You need to see Memento soon. Great movie.

I have to confess I did a little dance in my seat when I saw Hunt for Red October on this list. That’s one of my favorite movies, and so good I don’t really care that the Russian submarine commander has a Scottish accent (Sean freakin’ Connery for the win!).

Casino Royale, any Indiana Jones movie featuring Nazis, and any Batman movie (even the bad ones!) are going to make me completely forget what I was doing. Also, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve lost 4 hours of my life because TCM was showing Lawrence of Arabia.

I still need to see (500) Days. I’m a sucker for well done romantic movies (When Harry Met Sally is one that comes to mind), which leads me to my ultimate ‘timesuck’ movie: Casablanca. I’ve seen at least 20 times but it never gets old.

I honestly believe that Hunt for Red October is one of the very few films that was more enjoyable than the novel itself-the ending in the movie just works!

I can’t help but gush about (500) Days, it really is becoming one of my favorites…and Casablanca is one of those I haven’t watched in a long time that I need to reacquaint myself with. Lawrence of Arabia is a classic. :)